Sunderland's Youth Offending Service is launching a recruitment drive for volunteers to organise the scheme.

The referral system gives victims the chance to meet the person who committed the offence against them.

They also take part in rehabilitation through determining what can be done to put right some of the damage caused.

Volunteer John Pirrie, 36, became involved in the process when a "referral order" was imposed on the person who caused criminal damage to his motorbike.

'Different perspective'

Mr Pirrie said: "I followed the case through the whole legal process and was invited along to a panel to meet the person who had caused the damage and decided to go along and meet them to hear their side of the story.

"I found it all a very worthwhile experience, it gave me some kind of peace of mind and different perspective about the whole sorry episode, so I decided I'd like to become involved with the whole process to give other people that same opportunity."

Youngsters who complete the terms of their referral order have this first offence wiped from their record.

Linda Mason, YOS Operations Manager, said: "Our volunteers get involved in the first stage of a rehabilitation programme designed not only to help the youngsters involved, but also to help the victims of their crimes feel as though they are playing a part in dealing with the offenders in a positive way."